We are so close to a real, live, regular season football game.

Finally, instead of previewing the Illini from countless different angles and trying to decipher all the training camp buzz, we have an opponent to dive into.

The opponent — the Eastern Illinois Panthers, an in-state FCS foe coming off a strong 8-3 season in 2023 that left them just outside the FCS playoffs. It was the program’s best mark since Jimmy Garappolo was under center in 2013.

The Panthers sit just outside the AFCA preseason FCS Top 25 coaches poll, receiving the third most votes among non-ranked teams. While Illinois is currently a 27.5-point favorite on Thursday night, Eastern Illinois has proven itself as a quality team for its level.

Today, let’s start by taking a look at the Panthers’ offense:

Eastern Illinois returns nine starters from an inconsistent 2023 offense that saw some ups and downs. Overall, the Panthers ranked 76th in FCS in points per game and 46th in total offense.

It is, however, a talented unit of returnees. Quarterback Pierce Holley is back and was named the preseason Big South-OVC Player of the Year after throwing for 2,723 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2023. Alongside him return leading rusher MJ Flowers (852 yards, 8 TD) and leading receiver Eli Mirza (680 yards, 3 TD).

Holley, a transfer from Georgetown in 2022, isn’t the most athletic, strongest-armed quarterback but is a veteran who’s been a consistent presence throughout his career. He’s unlikely to fire off a bunch of explosive downfield throws, but he’s equally as unlikely to play the Panthers out of the game with turnovers and poor decision-making.

Keeping Holley clean was the biggest point of struggle for the EIU offense in 2023. The Panthers allowed 35 sacks, a bottom-15 mark in all of FCS. When facing pressure, Holley struggled mightily, completing just 35.4% of his passes and turning many pressures into sacks. The Illinois defensive front will have an opportunity to impose its will up front and keep the veteran quarterback from getting comfortable.

If Eastern Illinois wants to give Illinois a scare, it’ll have to find success in the run game.

The Panthers will likely look to run the ball early and often with Flowers, an FCS Freshman All-American in 2023. He’ll be running behind an offensive line that made up for its pass blocking struggles with plenty of push on the ground and has FBS size throughout, led by All-Conference guard Sebastian Pares and center Drew Wilder. Testing a questionable Illini rush defense is certain to be a focal point for Panthers offensive coordinator Kyle Derickson.

For Illinois, the size, talent, physicality, and athleticism advantage need to show up defensively to make life difficult for the Panther offense. Dominating the trenches and overpowering Eastern Illinois physically is necessary and attainable to take care of a respectable FCS opponent in Week 1.

Three Keys for the Illini defense vs EIU:

1. Get consistent pressure on QB Pierce Holley — Seth Coleman and Gabe Jacas will be key here. They’re expected to be the leaders of the Illini defense, and they need to dominate an FCS offensive line who struggled mightily at pass blocking a season ago. An uncomfortable quarterback and a handful of drive-killing sacks are what the Illini will need to impose their will early and cruise to victory.
2. Contain the EIU run game — Run defense is a major question mark for Illinois after losing all three starting defensive linemen, but that shouldn’t be exploited by an FCS opponent. The Panthers will try to run the ball often, but the Illini front needs to contain it and allow its pass rushers to turn up the pressure on third and longs. Illinois has a large talent advantage in the trenches and that needs to show itself from kickoff.
3. Be strong tacklers — When FCS teams spring upsets on FBS opponents, the cause usually comes down to sloppy play and a lot of mistakes. We know what that looks like offensively, but on defense Illinois needs to be strong in the tackling department. EIU’s gameplan will likely be heavily simplified and involve a lot of running and quick hitters in the passing game, and Illinois needs to avoid the missed tackles or missed assignments that could lead to explosive plays and yards after catch opportunities.

Check back tomorrow for a look at the Eastern Illinois defense.

Over the last several months, I have seen any number of stories about the troubles the iconic seafood chain Red Lobster is facing, and it kind of makes me sad.

I have wonderful memories of my family’s trips to Evansville when I was a kid. Sure, that doesn’t sound like much of a big deal now, but when we were kids, my sister and I loved visiting a bigger city. And it’s just about 40 miles away, so our Saturday night “getaways” were borderline frequent.

Troubled Red Lobster Is Still a Personal Nostalgia Hit

One spot we would often visit was the Red Lobster on Bellemeade Avenue, and it’s still there. That was the first Red Lobster I ever visited, so I get a little nostalgic whenever I pass it today. (Of course, in context, an empty parking lot isn’t exactly the best of optics, but that is not the Indiana location currently the chopping block.)

No, this Evansville Red Lobster remains safe, and besides, I seldom drive by there when it’s open that I don’t see a full lot.

But a Red Lobster in Michigan City IS on the chopping block, according to CBS News, and is joined by 22 others, including three in Illinois–in Peoria, Bourbonnais, and Geneva–plus more in nearby Missouri and Ohio.

Why Red Lobsters Are Closing

Red Lobster’s woes have long been documented. Forbes reports that as far back as 2014, owners began making efforts to sell the chain. And on May 19th of this year, Red Lobster filed for bankruptcy after shuttering nearly 100 of its locations the previous week.

The answers to why the chain is closing so many locations might very well be subjective, but Forbes takes aim at a possible cause: MONEY. I’d say it’s a solid educated guess.

My family was never wealthy; we were the epitome of the middle class. Yet, we found ourselves dining at Red Lobster frequently in the 80s. But today, it’s quite possible that Red Lobster is considered a luxury; I mean, a typically VERY expensive menu item IS in its name. And Americans’ financial issues have been well-documented, of late.

Whatever the cause, Red Lobsters are closing right and left–129 and counting, as a matter of fact. And it remains to be seen when the bleeding will stop.

Illinois defensive back Matthew Bailey always remains calm in pressure situations.

According to Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry, Bailey is one of the players on the team guys can go to if things get chaotic.

“Everybody has that one person that they can call when things get hectic,” Henry said. “For some people, it’s their mom. For some folks, it’s their dad. Maybe it’s your sister, your wife, your girlfriend. For me, Matt Bailey is all of that. He just has a calming presence about him.”

Bailey is entering the new season fresh and healthy. Last year he sat out 11 of 12 games due to a multitude of injuries.

First, he sustained an ankle injury prior to the season starting. Then he endured a shoulder injury against Penn State which sidelined him.

Now he is expected to hit the field in the season opener Thursday against Eastern Illinois University. After all he’s been through, he is maintaining a positive outlook.

Henry says Bailey doesn’t arise any real concerns when he takes the field because he always can be counted on to contribute.

“There’s a sense of security on the field when he’s out there,” Henry said. “I just think really good players I’ve been around, when you’ve got a cat like that out on the field, it obviously helps your defense.”

Zachary Draves is a contributor to Illinois Fighting Illini On SI. He can be reached at zdraves1013@gmail.com and on Instagram @zdraves0633.

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